Joe's offers M1A on sale today.

[OutTrolling (ot)]

Just a FYI. Just noticed In todays paper Joe's is selling the M1A normally priced at $1299 for $799 as long as quantities last. Doesn't seem too bad a price. I remember shooting the M1 back in the early 60's in basic which didn't seem to be too bad. Never had a chance to shoot the M1A. I think it may have had a shorter barrel than the M1 though not sure about that. Wonder how bad these are "shot out' and if there are still barrels/parts available for them.

[billc_sbio]

"I think it may have had a shorter barrel than the M1"

No, not really!

The M1A is simply the semi-auto Only version of the M14.

That's essentially a Select-Fire M1 style design with 20 shot Box Magazine and improved Gas System. It's chambered for the 7.62 NATO (.308 Win.).

It was the official U.S. Service Rifle from 1959 into the early years of Vietnam.

I trained with and carried one of these in Vietnam and LOVED that rifle!

In the '90s Bill Clinton ordered a bunch of these stored in Amories cut up for scrap.

We'd also given away a bunch to friendly countries and now in Iraq this is proving to be one of our premier mid-range Sniper Rifles when reworked into various accurate configurations with optics added.

So now we're scrounging amongst old friends to see if we can't get many of our giveaways BACK, and having them reworked by Smith Enterprises and sent off to the troops over in the mideast.

Here's a little on the history of the rifle

http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/m14typeriflesd.htm

You can see here about the neat new rebuilds...

http://www.crazyhorserifles.com/firstindex.htm

http://www.crazyhorserifles.com/101abn%20build%201.htm

http://www.crazyhorserifles.com/CrazyHorse%20Photos.htm

http://www.crazyhorserifles.com/for%20sale.htm

$799 at Joe's isn't a bad deal, provided they're well built rifles?

[Linejerk]

Originally Posted by billc_sbio

No, not really!

The M1A is simply the semi-auto Only version of the M14.

That's essentially a Select-Fire M1 style design with 20 shot Box Magazine and improved Gas System. It's chambered for the 7.62 NATO (.308 Win.).

It was the official U.S. Service Rifle from 1959 into the early years of Vietnam.

I trained with and carried one of these in Vietnam and LOVED that rifle!

In the '90s Bill Clinton ordered a bunch of these stored in Amories cut up for scrap.

We'd also given away a bunch to friendly countries and now in Iraq this is proving to be one of our premier mid-range Sniper Rifles when reworked into various accurate configurations with optics added.

So now we're scrounging amongst old friends to see if we can't get many of our giveaways BACK, and having them reworked by Smith Enterprises and sent off to the troops over in the mideast.

Here's a little on the history of the rifle

http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/m14typeriflesd.htm

You can see here about the neat new rebuilds...

http://www.crazyhorserifles.com/firstindex.htm

http://www.crazyhorserifles.com/101abn%20build%201.htm

http://www.crazyhorserifles.com/CrazyHorse%20Photos.htm

http://www.crazyhorserifles.com/for%20sale.htm

$799 at Joe's isn't a bad deal, provided they're well built rifles?

Well that just about says it all thx billc_sbio you know your stuff

[Beamerfish]

Originally Posted by billc_sbio

I trained with and carried one of these in Vietnam and LOVED that rifle!

This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine...

[scottishsetter]

Excellent rifles. I can shoot good groups at 200yrds. with one from a bench. Great history rifle to own. Too bad that more that were in 'surplus' weren't saved out to the public. They don't trust us.
I can hardly believe that Joes is selling M1A1s for $800???I'd much rather have a 308 than the 223 mouseGun. Just shoot one,,.

[pathfinder]

Well if thats true, that's a smoking deal.Are they Springfield or norinco or another brand?

[scottishsetter]

Oh,, 30 Cal.US DUH!

[oregun8]

I saw the day today. It is the carbine and only three per store.

[adobe wall]

That is a steal....

I own a Springfield Armory, Inc M1A and absolutely love it. Mine is old enough that it still had some USGI parts on it (barrel is a TRW). It's almost tempting to buy one, strip it, and put my Winchester M14 parts back on the receiver. I could come out cheaper than buying a stripped SA, Inc receiver.

With the way things are right now I've been considering selling the Winchester M14 parts I have, but I keep thinking I need one more rifle.

regards, aw

[adobe wall]

Originally Posted by OutTrolling (ot)

Just a FYI. Just noticed In todays paper Joe's is selling the M1A normally priced at $1299 for $799 as long as quantities last. Doesn't seem too bad a price. I remember shooting the M1 back in the early 60's in basic which didn't seem to be too bad. Never had a chance to shoot the M1A. I think it may have had a shorter barrel than the M1 though not sure about that. Wonder how bad these are "shot out' and if there are still barrels/parts available for them.

Just noticed the questions-

current SA, Inc M1A's have new production barrels so they won't be shot out. Plenty of parts available but the SA, Inc parts are almost all castings. When you start replacing parts, you'll probably find USGI forged parts that are pretty darn spendy. Some things, like the flash hider, make more sense to use a new aftermarket SA, Inc version than a true USGI flash suppressor that is quite valuable. Flash suppressors on the M-14 have a definite service life- the ends of the cutouts erode with use and eventually the end ring of the supressor cracks. Once that happens, accuracy suffers.

A fair number of M1/A M14 parts are interchangeable with the Garand- rear sight parts, hammer, some of the springs.

hth, aw, aw

[scottishsetter]

These are 30 Carbine M-1 not//// .308 M1-A1 Sad but true..I looked at Joe's ad in today's paper ...

[adobe wall]

I sure wish Joe's would put their sales flyers on their website (or if they do, make it a bit more obvious).

$799 for a .30 carbine is not a good deal at all. You can get them direct from the Civilian Marksmanship Program for as little as $419.00 I'd imagine the ones that Joe's is selling are probably not USGI anyways.

I keep saying I'm going to buy "one" carbine but can't quite bring myself to order a popgun!

regards, aw

[billc_sbio]

Originally Posted by scottishsetter

These are 30 Carbine M-1 not//// .308 M1-A1 Sad but true..I looked at Joe's ad in today's paper ...

Oh!

Just a SLIGHT Difference!